I am super thrilled to welcome New York Times Bestselling author Susan Mallery to Book Reviews & More by Kathy. Ms. Mallery stopped by to answer a few questions about her wildly popular Fool’s Gold series.

1. What’s next for the town of Fool’s Gold?

The Fool’s Gold Cookbook will be released the end of August, and I’ve written a short Fool’s Gold novella for the cookbook, which you won’t find anywhere else. So not only do you get 150 pretty amazing recipes, but you get a love story, as well.

Then, on September 24, CHRISTMAS ON 4TH STREET will be released. I adore writing Christmas romances, and this one was especially fun because the heroine, Noelle Perkins, has opened a Christmas store in downtown Fool’s Gold. The only problem is, they’re getting a lot of snow this year in the Sierra Nevadas, and her seasonal employees would rather ski than work. She’s stunned when Gabriel Boylan offers to lend a hand. Why would the sexy Army doctor want to spend his free time on leave working in her store? Gabriel is at a crossroads in his life. He has to decide whether to re-enlist, or to try to build a life beyond the Army. Working at The Christmas Attic – with beautiful Noelle – could just help him decide.

2. On August 27, you’ll release your Fool’s Gold Cookbook with more than 150 recipes to complement your wildly popular Fool’s Gold series. Where do you get your interest in cooking?

I’ve never enjoyed spending hours in the kitchen. Like many women, I’m too busy for that! But I do enjoy eating delicious meals made with fresh ingredients, and I think preparing a meal for my family is one of the most loving things I can do to nurture them. In the Fool’s Gold Cookbook, you’ll find recipes that are pretty easy even for the reluctant cook, and that don’t take hours. They’re organized by season, then further broken down into everyday dishes and some for special occasions. The cookbook is really beautiful, with lots of full-color photos. I’m excited that it will be out in time for the holiday shopping season because I think it will make a wonderful Christmas gift.

If you pre-order it, be sure to hold onto your receipt because on August 12, I’ll launch a pre-order contest for the cookbook on my website, www.susanmallery.com. I’m giving away a KitchenAid mixer!

3. For the Fool’s Gold romances, you have invented a detailed history of the town and deep backgrounds for the characters, even down to the town book store owner. How does this help you delve deeper into your writing?

I want to create the sense for readers that Fool’s Gold is a real place, so I provide them with lots of bonus content at www.foolsgoldca.com. There, we have a map of the town, a history, a list of local festivals, a who’s who character chart, and plenty of between-the-books updates on what’s happening in the characters’ lives. If you’re a Fool’s Gold fan, you should visit the website to see all the new stuff we have there. I promise, it will enrich your reading experience. For example…

Fool’s Gold has a very colorful (fictional) history, going back to pre-Columbian times. A group of Mayan women migrated north and established a matriarchal society along the shores of what is now Lake Ciara in Fool’s Gold. They were sick of all the virgin sacrifices, so they left. The Máa-zib tribe is the name we came up with, with the help of a Mayan-English dictionary. “Máa-zib” is a very rough translation/bastardization of “no boys,” after the words have been mangled by centuries and distance. The Máa-zib culture has a pretty fun impact on Fool’s Gold today. When the series started, there was a man shortage in Fool’s Gold. Was that because of an ancient Mayan curse? Who knows? Last year, a hero was ceremoniously “sacrificed” at the Máa-zib festival. And next year, six-year-old Future Warriors of the Máa-zib, Fool’s Gold’s twist on Scouts, will warm readers’ hearts.

4. You’re known for writing novels that always have a happy ending, no matter the turmoil the characters face along the way. What is the reason behind this? Would you ever consider writing a book without a happy ending?

No. Never. I don’t like to read books with unhappy endings, and I would never consider writing one. When I write a book, I invest my heart in the characters. If I left them in a bad place, they would haunt me for the rest of my life.

Can first love turn into the real deal? Anything can happen in a sizzling new Fool’s Gold story from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

Isabel Beebe thinks she’s cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another…man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she’ll pursue her real dreams. At least, that’s the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again…..

Seeing Isabel all grown-up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can’t take his eyes—or his lips—off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool’s Gold forever—if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same.

If you’re a fan of Fool’s Gold, you’ll love Ana Raquel and Greg’s delicious romance, featured in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold Cookbook, along with her favorite recipes from the land of happy endings.

Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author SUSAN MALLERY is known for emotionally complex stories told with charm and wit. With a keen eye for human nature, she breathes life into characters on the page and was recently honored with a prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award. Susan has lived all over the United States, including a childhood in the suburbs of Los Angeles, graduate school in the hills of Pennsylvania and several years in Texas. These days, she makes her home in Seattle, Washington. She’s there for the coffee, not the weather.

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Leave a comment on this post by 5 PM Mountain Time Monday (August 12) afternoon.

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. I will notify the winner by e-mail and the winner will also be posted HERE on Saturday.

Susan Mallery is a wonderful author and I love the Fool’s Gold series. Her latest THREE LITTLE WORDS just received the #2 spot (tied with #1) on the NYT Bestsellers List. WOW! Thanks for the contest. Would love to win.

What a wonderful contest. I love the Fool’s Gold series. Three Little Words is no exception. In fact tied for #1 on NYT Bestsellers List. You get two romances in one book, this makes makes for one hot summer read.

I love this series and just when I think I’ve read the best another one comes out and it’s even better.
If anybody needs a $1 coupon off a paperback For Three Little Words, just released, let me know.
Julie

Susan Mallery is a really great author, those of you that haven’t read Three Little Words really should go and get it to read. You will not be disappointed in buying it. Thanks for the contest and good luck to everyone.

Thanks for the contest!! Susan Mallerys Fool’s Gold Series is wonderful, don’t miss this series!! I would live in Fool’s Gold if I could. Ford is my favorite male character, so far…LOL, he is easy going, sweet and funny! Who wouldn’t fall in love with him?

Always love returning to Fool’s Gold. It is like returning home!! I love starting my summer reading a new Fool’s Gold book!! Just One Kiss, Two of a Kind, & Three Little Words are all great books to read.

It has been a great summer in Fools Gold and finishing up with Three little Words is the icing on the cake. Isabel and Ford discovering each other within the safety of their ‘fake relationship’ is priceless. And for me the 2 for 1 relationship just made my day. I love this book. Everyone should read it.

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